This is my blog to share about my life including 5 kids ranging in age from 20 to year. It is also a resource(I hope) for learning to save money and live within your means.
The second purpose for this blog has emerged as this year has changed our lives in all aspects. I want to share openly about our lives so that someone else can benefit or recognize God's love and purpose. Selfishly, I will print at the end of each year for a record to share with the kids.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

What is a Stockpile?

This is a question I have often wondered myself. I do know that I think most of the stockpiles that you see on TV are just over the top. I was reading over some blogs this morning and found a guest post over at Couponing To Disney in which a very nice list was given about what amount of food they felt should be kept on hand in order to have a month supply of food. I changed most of it a bit to be more of what I thought was realistic. I am planning to use this list to actually make my shopping list. Meaning when I go for a huge stock up trip, I will take a look at this list and see what needs to be added to make me feel comfortable with the items on hand. I will also use it for a guide of buying things, so if I find an awesome deal of toilet paper but already have the amount noted then unless it is free, I don't need it. I am share in hopes it will help someone else.

Freezer goods2 packs of Hot dogs1 pack (20) Hamburgers10 lbs of chicken breasts cut in various ways4 packs of bacon5 lbs of hamburger2-4 packages of lunch meat3 2lb bricks of cheese and at least 1 pack of American slices15-20 bags of a variety of frozen vegetables.Pork chops3 bags of tortillas2 canisters of bread crumbs- I have been saving all old/odd slices of bread and we process these so I don't plan on every buying this.

Personal care- In this section, I already have more than what is listed in my stockpile so I use this as a guide of where I need to start actively looking for more of an items instead of grabbing only things on the “best deals list”. But Free means I get it no matter what! 2 sticks of each persons deodorant2 tubes of toothpaste2 bags of feminine pads6 bottles of shampoo and conditioner2 bottles of Hair spray 6 bottles of body wash

Cleaning supplies- In this section, I rarely have this much on hand unopened. This is considered the only get it if it is free when we have this much of a supply2 bottles of hand soap2 bottles of dishwashing liquid2 boxes of dishwasher tablets3 bottles of laundry soap1 box of dryer sheets2 cans of scrubbing bubbles3 tubs of cleaning wipes- I only buy the Kirkland brand so if they are on sale then I grab extra otherwise I buy when we start the last bag.120 rolls of toilet paper10 rolls of paper towels1 bottle of pine sol1 boxes of garbage bags

Snacks- I don’t think this is a necessary list, I prefer to keep some fruits on hand for the kids to eat and we usually stock up at Costco at least once every couple of months. This is the exact list I found on line. I left incase you do feel snacks are necessary. With that beginning said, I will add that we like to keep a candy and chip stash in our bedroom.2 boxes of popcorn bags6 bags of tortilla chips2 jars of salsa5 bags of jerky35 fruit leathers2 bags of cookies

Staples - This final list is things that I personally don't freeze so I buy in bulk if I can and rarely find on sale so I usually purchase at Costco. If I do find a sale then I stock up with what I can use in a couple of month time or before the expiration date2-4 gallons of Milk- we are not big Milk drinkers so a gallon last around a week4-6 gallons of Apple Juice-a months supply7 dozen eggs- these usually last 2 months purchased from Costco2 loaves of bread.5lb of potatoes3lbs of onions4-8oz containers of Sour Cream2 8oz containers of Cream cheese4 boxes of butter1 large tub of Margarine.